Springfield Police Capt. Harry Kastrinakis said 24-year-old Karen Dziewit of Chicopee was drinking in front of 140 Chestnut Street shortly before 2 a.m. Sunday when police were called to assist a security officer at that address. Police said Dziewit was screaming and yelling and disturbing the tenants of the buildings, and she refused to stop her tirade when police asked her to.

She was arrested. But, before she was taken into custody, she apparently started the voice recorder in her smart phone and put it in her purse.

She was taken to police headquarters for booking and as officers inventoried the contents of her purse, they found the phone actively recording the entire process.

Dziewit was charged with unlawful wiretapping, disorderly conduct and an open container violation. She will be arraigned in Springfield District Court on Monday.

She said it would’ve been legal for the woman to record the arrest without hiding her phone, though police could've cited her for obstructing justice. The other safety net is if it was later found that excessive force was used against the person.

However, Colwin said there are jurisdictions, including in Massachusetts, that say you cannot record what police are doing – so make sure you know the law before you take out your phone.